Four Nights at the Bulgari Bali (how did I get so lucky?)

My most recent trip to Bali may have been hot, humid, and filled with Obama-induced traffic, but the time spent at the Bulgari Hotel made all of that disappear. The hotel was the most welcoming, beautifully designed, luxurious retreat I have ever visited. It’s hard to complain when you’re waking up with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Indian Ocean, watching the sun set from a private balcony, jumping into your own plunge pool to wake up each morning, or requesting each meal to be enjoyed in your 3,000 square foot villa. It may have been the endless smiles, the daily “Selamat Pagi” (good morning in Balinese), or something in the coffee, but I immediately felt relaxed, happy, and felt very, very, lucky.

Welcome to the Bulgari! This stunning entryway is created from volcanic stone and rich exotic woods.

Welcome to the Bulgari! This stunning entryway is created from volcanic stone and rich exotic woods.

Set within the volcanic stone walls of the resort, each villa is similar in size and layout but each room category offers better and better views (unless you plan to stay in the two-story, 10,000 sq foot Bulgari Villa). Rich mahogany woods and luxurious furnishings create a warm and calming environment with sweeping views. Contained privately within garden walls, each villa offers contemporary elegance in both indoor and outdoor spaces combining modern with traditional design.

My living room for four incredible days.

My living room for four incredible days.

After a long flight, there is nothing better than a spa treatment at the Bulgari Spa. Each treatment room overlooks the Indian Ocean and spa gardens.

Relax.

Relax.

Do I feel like taking a shower indoors or outdoors today, or maybe a bath instead? Bulgari’s signature bath products were yet another reason to indulge.

My bathroom

My bathroom!

Each day we anxiously rushed home from our day of activities, hoping we wouldn’t miss the fire-bright sunlit sky. I snapped this photo from my balcony just before the sun went down.

I grabbed my camera just in time.

I grabbed my camera just in time.

And no trip is complete without at least five multi-course tasting menus. After all, it’s important to make sure every single dish is perfect. And even though the gourmet food and drinks were delicious, my favorite meal was the $2 “Babi Guling,” suckling pig slow roasted with garlic, chili, and ginger, over white rice.

Every single meal was perfect.

Dining al fresco, a wonderful way to start the day

Please contact us if you’re interested in a trip to Bali. While we may just recommend spending your days at the Bulgari completely relaxing at the hotel, there are so many places to see and things to learn about their wonderful culture. From the Green School, a school that redefines learning with a refreshing and effective approach that strives to foster a generation of responsible global citizens; to Big Tree Farms Chocolate factory, where you can enjoy classes and lectures; to learning the art of Balinese wood carving; or participating in a local cremation or wedding, we’re here to make sure your trip is as cultural fulfilling as it is luxurious.

Robyn

Question to the Honeymoon Guru

Q: My fiance and I would love to visit Argentina but we are getting married in August and heard that it is not the best time to visit. Do you have any other ideas for honeymoon locations in South America during August?

A: Thank you for your question. First, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! There are definitely a few wonderful South America options in August and you will be happy to know that Argentina is among them. Here are my favorites:

Argentina is actually lovely in August, particularly the northwest region of Salta. You could start in Buenos Aires, see the waterfalls of Iguazu, head to the wine region of Cafayate, and then visit the salt flats. Here is one of our suggested itineraries of this region.

Peru is perfect in August. You can spend several days exploring Lima (great restaurants!), visit the Colca Canyon to see the condors, head to the charming town of Cusco and then visit Machu Picchu. This is the suggested itinerary for our Honeymoon in Peru.

A few other possibilities: the Atacama Desert and Santiago in Chile or the beaches of Brazil, which would be just fine in August.

I hope this has given you some inspiration and ideas for your honeymoon. If you end up needing assistance planning your honeymoon itinerary, please do get in touch. And remember – no matter where you end up going, you will have a wonderful time!

Best,
Natalie
The Honeymoon Guru

ANSWERS FROM OUR HONEYMOON GURU

I am seeking an exotic honeymoon destination in July that does not require immunizations – does South Africa require shots? I would love a safari but my budget is about $10,000. All suggestions would be considered. My one concern is that I don’t want to spend a lot of time traveling.

South Africa doesn’t require shots, but there are areas (mostly in the Kruger/Sabi Sands area) where anti-malarial medication would be recommended. However, there are plenty of amazing safari lodges that are malaria-free, particularly in the Eastern Cape and Madikwe. July is winter in South Africa, but I have been to the Eastern Cape at that time of year and it’s perfect for safari – dry, cloudless days, chilly in the mornings/evenings but it will be in the low 80′s mid-day. Check out the South Africa section of our website to see some suggested safari itineraries.

My fiance and I will be getting married in September 2009 and can’t decide on a honeymoon destination. We want beach relaxation, spas, beautiful scenery and a fun excursion or two in a luxury setting. We’ve already done the Caribbean, Hawaii and Italy/Greece many times. I have heard Thailand and Indonesia are amazing, but nice my fiance is worried about traveling extreme distances and experiencing culture shock. Any suggestions?

Thailand and Indonesia are wonderful honeymoon destinations and for me, personally, it was a tough choice between the two. Ultimately, we chose Indonesia because we were traveling in August when Bali is perfect, but it’s still rainy season in Thailand. In September, you’re still on the tail end of rainy season in Thailand, but the weather is perfect in Indonesia. So on weather alone, I would probably choose Indonesia. It is a long way to travel, but Bali has a huge range of luxury properties with some on the coast/beach and some inland in the cultural heart of the island, surrounded by terraced rice fields and perched over the Ayung River. Java – the island just west of Bali – is an optional side trip. Alternately, you could visit Amanjiwo, which is a beach resort on Moyo Island, a short flight from Bali. Indonesia has great food, plenty of unique cultural and active touring options, and some of the most kind and welcoming people in the world. You wouldn’t have any more culture shock visiting Bali then you would in Italy, Greece or the Caribbean.

My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon for the second half of September and are trying to decide between Fiji, Bali and Tahiti. From what I have heard, Tahiti is very expensive and your dollar stretches further in Fiji. Which (Fiji or Bali) has better weather at that time of year? Which would you recommend and why?

You are right that Tahiti can be extremely expensive. It is a very typical “resort” destination with lots of hotels and development. Though it is quite nice, I think you are right to focus on Fiji and Bali . In terms of seasonality, Fiji is best from April to October so the weather should be perfect for your later September honeymoon. Bali shares the same approximate seasonality as Fiji so that’s fine, too.

For honeymooners, Fiji is more of a straightforward beach destination; though there is an interesting cultural tradition, most people head to Fiji because they are looking for beautiful beaches. In Bali, the beaches are nice but not as spectacular as in Fiji – but it has a fascinating and very rich cultural history so you do have the option to lounge and relax but there is also much to do and see beyond the beach. I think it really comes down to what you want to do on your honeymoon. If you want to sunbathe and enjoy gorgeous beaches, head to Fiji. If you think you might want to venture off the beach now and then for exploration and learning about a rich culture, Bali is probably a better choice.

More tips from our honeymoon guru.